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Disappointing Predators look for first win

Oct 14, 2006 - 3:57 PM Phoenix (1-3-0) at Nashville (0-3-0) 8:00 pm EDT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- It was not supposed to be this way for the Nashville Predators.

The Predators entered the season with high hopes after the offseason acquisitions of centers Jason Arnott and Josef Vasicek, but so far they have underachieved and look for their first victory when they host the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday.

The biggest culprit in Nashville's struggles is the inability to keep the puck out of its own net. The Predators have allowed 17 goals in three games.

In their 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, the Predators' offense became the problem as Arnott scored their only goal off a pass by Paul Kariya.

The Coyotes have also gotten off to a disappointing start, beating the New York Islanders in their season opener before dropping three straight since.

Phoenix was hammered by the Detroit Red Wings, 9-2, in its last game on Wednesday. Mike Comrie and Ed Jovanovski scored the lone Phoenix goals while goaltender Curtis Joseph was yanked after surrendering seven goals on 29 shots.